Nicole Scherzinger has reportedly been struggling to cope with online abuse over her X Factor USA role.

The 'Try With Me' singer went into hiding after failing to save popular hopeful Rachel Crow from elimination in the quarter finals and, according to friends, is beginning to regret her decision to join the Fox contest.

"She's had a hard year," a source told Now. "The X Factor hasn't been the blessing she thought it would be. Life isn't good for her right now."

Scherzinger directly attributed her Twitter hiatus to hateful comments about her on the site, saying: "I accidentally ran into some messages towards me and that broke my heart.. [let's] continue to give love to the world because a lot of people need it."

The former Pussycat Doll reappeared on the eve of the X Factor USA final last week, writing: "Sry its bn so long twttr fam..had a hard few wks..But i'm so grateful 4 the killerlovers & believers. Hey the haterz only make u stronger."